I disagree very much.
The Roman Empire was not totalitarian, not until the rule of Diocletian.
And the symbol of the Roman Republic was the Fasces.
The Roman Republic was very authoritarian to begin with- very similar to SPARTA.
What part? The Imperial cult started with Julius. And the Senate was castrated by the time of Caligula.
I agree that they were authoritarian from the git go, but they (Rome) ruled with an iron fist from the time of Augustus.